Cluster ball rack with ball director

ABSTRACT

The invention is a cluster-type bowling ball return rack having a bowler identification panel mounted in an elevated position above the center island thereof, and a ball directing vane directing returning balls to the side of the cluster rack corresponding to the lane upon which the ball was bowled. A control mechanism for the vane includes timer and operating circuits employing RS flip-flop memory latches in conjunction with programmed unijunction transistors to swing the vane against spring pressure.

United States Patent [191 Szymanski et al.

CLUSTER BALL RACK WITH BALL DIRECTOR inventors: Richard Szymanski;Patrick J.

Murphy, both of Muskegon, Mich.

The Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, Ill.

Filed: Sept. 29, 1971 Appl. No.: 184,669

Assignee:

US. Cl. 273/49 Int. Cl A63d 5/02 Field of Search 273/49, 54 R, 54 CReferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1963 Stegman et al. 273/4912/1969 Hoffman et al Aug. 21, 1973 3,215,433 11/1965 Thomsen 273/493,339,922 9/i967 Miller 7/1966 Vander Meer 273/54 R PrimaryExaminer-Anton O. Oechsle Attomey-Donald S. Olexa et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The invention is a cluster-type bowling ball return rackhaving a bowler identification panel mounted in an elevated positionabove the center island thereof, and a ball directing vane directingreturning balls to the side of the cluster rack corresponding to thelane upon which the ball was bowled. A control mechanism for the vaneincludes timer and operating circuits employing RS flip-flop memorylatches in conjunction with programmed unijunction transistors to swingthe vane against spring pressure.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CON 7204 C4 D 1 CLUSTER BALL RACK WITH BALLDIRECTOR BACKGROUND The invention is in the field of equipment forreturning a bowling ball from the pit end of a bowling lane to thebowler at the approach end of the lane, and positioning it for pick upby the bowler. More specifically the invention is an electro-mechanicaldevice for directing a returning bowling ball to a selected side of acluster-type ball return rack having a bowler identification panel foran electronic scoring device mounted in the center thereof.

With the advent of electronic computer devices which automatically keepthe bowlers score, such as that described in U. S. Pat. application Ser.No. 196,039 of E. E. Reynolds, filed May 16, 1962, a device by which thebowler identify himself to the computer scorer was required. Such adevice is the subject of U. S. Pat. No. 3,480,276 and referred togenerally as a bowler identification panel.

In order that this identification panel be most readily accessible tobowlers where cluster-type ball return racks are employed, it wasdetermined that the panel should be placed upon an elevated pedestalmounted in the center of the tear drop-shaped ball track characteristicof a cluster return.

One problem arising from this placement of the identification panel isthat it is most difficult for a bowler standing on one side of thecluster rack to reach across the elevated identification panel andretrieve his ball from the other side of the rack. The invention solvesthis problem with a novel electro-mechanical device which directs areturning ball to the side of the cluster rack adjacent the lane uponwhich the ball was bowled. While a ball directing system is described inU. S. Pat. No. 3,099,446 to R. V. Stegman et al., the instant inventionrepresents a novel solution to a new problem and through its simplicityand economy represents a substantial advance in the art of ballhandling.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a combination of acluster-type ball return rack with a bowler identification panel mountedin the center thereof in an elevated position for the convenience of thebowlers.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for directing areturning bowling ball to the side of a cluster rack and identificationpanel adjacent the lane upon which it was bowled.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a ball directoractuating means responsive only to balls returning from a selected oneof a pair of lanes serviced by the cluster rack.

SUMMARY Basically the invention includes means for electrically sensingwhen a bail departs the pit area of a selected one of a pair of adjacentbowling lanes served by a single cluster ball rack, means for timing thetravel of the ball from the pit area to and through a ball lift at theapproach end of the land, and means for positioning a ball directingvane on the cluster rack adjoining the ball lift for a discrete periodof time, coinciding with he exit of the ball from the ball lift, so asto direct a ball detected by the aforesaid sensing means to a selectedside of the cluster rack. A first time delay circuit measures the timefrom departure of the ball from the pit area until it is delivered tothe cluster rack by the ball lift, and then activates a second circuitwhich actuates the vane positioning means for an interval of timesufficient only to result in the direction of the detected ball to theselected side of the cluster rack.

A primary advantage of the invention is the provision of a bowleridentification panel in a position most convenient to the bowler andmost conducive to inducing the bowler to identify himself to theelectronic scoring device, which he must do before his score can berecorded.

Another advantage of the invention is its simplicity in solving theproblem of selectively directing a returning ball with a minimum ofequipment and consequently at a substantial savings in cost. Thesesavings are achieved principally by confining ball detection to a singlelane of a pair, and by limiting active ball control to balls returningfrom that lane. A further advantage is achieved through the reliabilityof the solid state circuitry employed, and the mechanical features ofthe ball directing vane.

Other objectives, advantages and various further features of novelty andinvention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the artfrom a reading of the following specification in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of a cluster ballrack with an identification panel and ball director of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a cluster ball rack of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a bowling ball detection and directionsystem of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cut away side view of a portion of a return rackof the invention illustrating the installation of a ball directing vaneof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the control and timing mechanism of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Referring to FIG. 1, a ball lift 1 discharges a returning bowling ball 2onto the neck portion 3 of a modified tear drop-shaped track a of acluster bowling ball return rack 5. A ball directing vane or flipper 6is positioned at the junction of the neck 3 with the left and rightsides of the tear drop track 1. The vane 6 is pivotally mounted so thatit may be swung left and right about a vertical axis to connect the necktrack section 3 with either the left H0 or right 11 side of the clustertrack 4. With the free end 12 of the vane 6 positioned to the left asviewed from above, the ball track 4 will be completed to the right side11 of the cluster rack 5; similarly, with the free end 7 of the vane 6positioned to the right, the ball track a will be completed to the leftside 10 of the rack 5.

The vane 6 is spring loaded to the right so that absent any controlaction all returning balls would be directed to the left side 10 of therack 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bowler identification panel 12 ismounted upon a pedestal 13 extending upwardly from the island area ofthe cluster rack surrounded by the ball track 4. The pedestal 13 fairsinto the rack structure and extends upwardly about two feet from thetrack level tapering toward the top to the size of the bowleridentification panel 12 mounted therein. The entire structure may bemade of fiberglass by means well known to the art. It is apparent fromthe figures that it is difficult for a bowler to reach across the rackbecause of the presence of the pedestal 13.

Referring now to the schematic illustration of FIG. 3, a ball 2 beingreturned by the pinsetter mechanism from the right lane will physicallytrip a switch 16 suitably positioned on a branch 17 of track leadingfrom the right lane onto the main return track 18. Tripping of theswitch 16 triggers an electronic timer described below. The ball 2continues through a ball accelerator 19, down the track 18 at aprecisely known speed, up through the ball lift 20 and is dischargedonto the neck 3 of the ball rack 5. At the moment that the ball 2 exitsfrom the ball lift 20, the free end 7 of the vane 6 is swung to the leftfor a period of 1.2 seconds, completing the track to the right side 11of the rack just long enough to allow the ball 2, alone, returning fromthe right lane, to proceed to the right side 11 of the rack 5. Becausethe vane 6 is held to the left for such a short period, a ball from theleft lane returning just ahead of or just behind the ball 2 will bedeflected left.

FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanical features of the ball directingmechanism. The vane 6 is rigidly attached to a pin 22 which rides withinand is maintained in the vertical position by a journal 23 mountedbeneath the top 24 of the rack 5. Attached to the lower end of the pin22 is a horizontal lever arm 26- which extends to the right of thelongitudinal axis of the vane 6 as viewed from above.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lever arm 26 is attached to theactuating rod 28 of a solenoid 29. The solenoid 29 is securely affixedbeneath the top 24 of the rack 5 in the area of the neck 3 of the balltrack 4. A compression spring 30 acting between the solenoid 29 and abushing 31 attached to the lever arm 26 repulses the lever arm 26 fromthe solenoid 29 applying clockwise torque to the pin 22 urging the vane6 to the right. Actuation of the solenoid 29 by the control circuitdraws the lever arm 26 toward the solenoid 29 against the action of thespring 30, rotating pin 22 counterclockwise andmoving the vane 6 to itsleft. Deactivation of the solenoid 29 permits the spring 30 to rotatepin 22 clockwise returning the vane 6 to its right or rest position.

Referring to FIG. 5 the control card for the ball directing vane 6includes two memory latches (RS flipflops) 32 and 33, and two associatedtime delay circuits 34 and 35, respectively. A solid state amplifier 36drives the vane actuating solenoid 29.

A cycle of operation begins when a ball exits from the right lane andactuates the ball detection switch 16. The closing of switch 16 sets thefirst flip-flop 32 and initiates the first RC time delay circuit 34Rl-Cl which times the travel of the ball from the pit up to the vane 6.As the time of travel of the ball varies from four to twelve secondsdepending upon the type of installation (5.23 seconds for a BrunswichA-2 subway return), the resistor R1 is variable to permit adjustment ofthe time delay circuit to a particular system.

When the capacitor C1 fills, a small spill-over current will flow intothe anode of a programmed unijunction transistor 40, triggering it. Theresulting current flow sets a second flip-flop 33 which simultaneouslyinitiates the second RC timer circuit 35 R2-C2 and causes the poweramplifier 36 to supply current to the vane control solenoid 29. At theexpiration of approximately 1.3 seconds C2 is sufficiently full totrigger a second programmed unijunction transistor 41 shutting off powerto the solenoid 29 and resetting the second flipflop 33. During the l.3seconds that power was sup plied to the solenoid 29, the ball directingvane 6 was deflected to the left just long enough to permit thereturning ball 2 to exit to the right side of the cluster rack 5.

The programmed unijunction transistors are particularly suited to timedelay circuits of the type just described as it is possible to achieve arelatively precise time delay using off-the-shelf parts withoutselection or adjustment. This accuracy results from the triggerreference point being a percentage of circuit voltage which may be setin the usual manner by low cost programming resistors with accuracy of:5 percent. The capacitor C1 and C2 are the greatest variables, but withtheir $10 percent tantulum commercial tolerance a timer with better :20percent tolerance is still achieved with a simple assembly ofnon-specialized parts.

While the principles of the invention have been described in connectionwith the above specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A cluster type bowling ball return rack comprising a supporting body,

a ball strage track mounted upon said supporting body,

said track substantially surrounding an island portion of said body, andconnecting to a ball return track,

pedestal means extending upwardly from the island portion of said bodyfor supporting a bowler identification panel,

a bowler identification panel mounted upon said pedestal means, and

means for directing a bowling ball entering said ball storage track to apreselected side of said pedestal including a ball detection switchactivated by a ball returned from a pinsetter mechanism;

a first RS flip-flop memory latch settable by the detection switch;

a first RC time delay circuit energized by the first flip-flop memorylatch and having a time delay approximately equal to the time requiredfor the ball to travel from the switch to the pedestal means;

a first programmed unijunction transistor triggered by the first RC timedelay circuit and connected to reset the first flip-flop memory latch;

a second RS flip-flop memory latch settable by the first programmedunijunction transistor;

a second RC time delay circuit energized by the second flip-flop memorylatch;

a second programmed unijunction transistor triggered by the second RCtime delay circuit and connected to reset the second flip-flop memorylatch;

an amplifier driven by the second programmed unijunction transistor;

a solenoid driven by the amplifier; and

a ball diverter vane in the ball storage track linked to the solenoidand movable to deflect a returning ball to a selected branch of the ballstorage track.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball track includes a Y-shapedjunction where the two sides of said ball storage track join, and

wherein said ball deflecting means comprises a vane pivotally mounted atsaid junction and capable of storage track.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said pivoting means comprises means forbiasing said length of rail to complete said return track to one side ofsaid ball storage track, and

means for pivoting said length of rail against the force of said biasingmeans to complete said return track to the other side of said ballstorage track.

* ll 1' 4K

1. A cluster type bowling ball return rack comprising a supporting body,a ball strage track mounted upon said supporting body, said tracksubstantially surrounding an island portion of said body, and connectingto a ball return track, pedestal means extending upwardly from theisland portion of said body for supporting a bowler identificationpanel, a bowler identification panel mounted upon said pedestal means,and means for directing a bowling ball entering said ball storage trackto a preselected side of said pedestal including a ball detection switchactivated by a ball returned from a pinsetter mechanism; a first RSflip-flop memory latch settable by the detection switch; a first RC timedelay circuit energized by the first flip-flop memory latch and having atime delay approximately equal to the time required for the ball totravel from the switch to the pedestal means; a first programmedunijunction transistor triggered by the first RC time delay circuit andconnected to reset the first flipflop memory latch; a second RSflip-flop memory latch settable by the first programmed unijunctiontransistor; a second RC time delay circuit energized by the secondflip-flop memory latch; a second programmed unijunction transistortriggered by the second RC time delay circuit and connected to reset thesecond flip-flop memory latch; an amplifier driven by the secondprogrammed unijunction transistor; a solenoid driven by the amplifier;and a ball diverter vane in the ball storage track linked to thesolenoid and movable to deflect a returning ball to a selected branch ofthe ball storage track.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball trackincludes a Y-shaped junction where the two sides of said ball storagetrack join, and wherein said ball deflecting means comprises a vanepivotally mounted at said junction and capable of completing said trackexclusively to either branch of said Y-shaped junction.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said ball return and ball storage track comprises twosubstantially parallel rails, and said ball directing means comprises amovable length of such rail, means for pivotally mounting said length ofrail substantially at the throat of said Y-shaped section, and means forpivoting said length of rail to complete the ball return trackselectively to either side of the ball storage track.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said pivoting means comprises means for biasing saidlength of rail to complete said return track to one side of said ballstorage track, and means for pivoting said length of rail against theforce of said biasing means to complete said return track to the otherside of said ball storage track.